Portable putting game device

ABSTRACT

Portable golf putting apparatus including two rectangular plastic putting targets spaced apart from each other a suitable putting distance and having their side edges arranged along a straight line defined by an inelastic cord having its opposite ends secured to keyhole openings in the targets. Each target includes four parallel spaced-apart ramps over which a golf ball may be putted. Six parallel spaced-apart partitions extending perpendicular to the ramps define five channels through which the putted ball passes. One or more scoring pockets are located along the length of each channel and a ball exit opening is provided at the end of each channel. A set of counting beads is provided at each rear corner of the target, to facilitate keeping score.

United States atent 1 Miller 51 Mar. 27, 1973 [54] PORTABLE PUTTING GAME DEVICE [76] Inventor: W. Curtis Miller, 1005 Jameson Ct.,

New Castle, 1nd. 47362 [22] Filed: Apr. 28, 1972 [21] Appl. No.1 248,530

Primary Examiner-George J. Marlo Attorney-John Cameron McNett [57] ABSTRACT Portable golf putting apparatus including two rectangular plastic putting targets spaced apart from each other a suitable putting distance and having their side edges arranged along a straight line defined by an inelastic cord having its opposite ends secured to keyhole openings in the targets. Each target includes four parallel spaced-apart ramps over which a golf ball may be putted. Six parallel spaced-apart partitions extending perpendicular to the ramps define five channels through which the putted ball passes. One or more scoring pockets are located along the length of each channel and a ball exit opening is provided at the end of each channel. A set of counting beads is provided at each rear corner of the target, to facilitate keeping score.

17 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PORTABLE PUTTING GAME DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to amusement devices and more specifically to a golf putting device with a plurality of compartments.

2. Description of the Prior Art Numerous amusement devices have been invented which are used with golf balls and which to some degree test ones skill in putting. US. Pat. No. 2,081,511 to Smith discloses a square board with a cup in its center and concentric raised rings around the cup. The raised beads are shaped to provide for relatively free movement of a golf ball toward the center but to prevent passage away from the center. This eliminates any penalty for hitting the ball too hard and forces a player to bend over to remove a ball from the device.

Further, in the prior art when two boards were used for competition between two players, there was no easy manner of fixing a standard distance between the boards. Thus, there could not easily be standardized scoring for determining what is par for the game nor' whether a specific score achieved one time could be validly compared with scores achieved at other times.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a portable golf putting device which has a series of inclined planes used to give an indication of speed, the inclined planes being divided into channels to give an indication of accuracy of aim. The invention also relates to the use of two'portable golf putting devices connected with a relatively inelastic cord whereby the distance between the two can be consistently and accurately reproduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of the invention showing two putting devices connected by a cord.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of one of the putting devices in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the putting device of FIG 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a keyhole in the putting device of FIG. 2, the keyhole being used to removably connect a cord to the putting device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring in particular to FIG. 1, there are illustrated two practice putting devices and 11 which are connected by a relatively inelastic cord 12. The cord is preferably a 9 foot monofilament plastic cord removably attached at each end to the practice putting devices. The cord 12 insures that the distance between the two putting devices can be consistently and accurately reproduced each time the practice putting devices are placed on a carpet or lawn. for use. The putting devices 10 and 11 are generally rectangular in shape and thus have a straight rear edge which can be used to define a line behind which the players must stand when playing with the putting devices. The side edges of the rectangle are useful in determining that the devices are properly aligned. The sides can very easily be aligned to be parallel with the cord 12.

Referring in particular to FIG. 2 there is illustrated one of the practice putting devices shown in FIG. I. The lower surface of this putting device 10 has keyhole openings 13 and 14 which enable rapid connection and dis-connection of cord 12. As illustrated in more detail in FIG. 4, cord 12 has a knot 16 in its end which catches in the slot 15 of the keyhole opening 13 to fasten the cord to the practice putting device 10.

The putting device 10 has an inclined portion 20 inclined upwardly and rearwardly at about a 10 angle to the horizontal from a straight front edge of the device and thereby defining a short, wide ramp. A vertical wall 21, five-sixteenth inches high, extends downwardly from the rear of the inclined portion 20 at all points unconnected to parallel partitions 31 through 36. The parallel partitions 31 through 36 extend rearwardly from the rear edge of the inclined portion and define five channels.

These six parallel partitions intersect a second inclined portion 50 which is disposed rearwardly of inclined portion 20. The second inclined portion 50 is inclined generally upwardly and rearwardly from a leading edge which is parallel to the leading edge of inclined portion 20. A vertical 'wall 51 extends downwardly from the rear of the second inclined portion. Partitions 32 through 35 continue rearwardly and intersect a third inclined portion 60 which is disposed rearwardly of the second inclined portion 50 and which also is inclined generally upwardly and rearwardly from aleading edge which is parallel to the leading edge of inclined portion 20. 1

Partition 33 and 34 continue still further-rearwardly and intersect a fourth inclined portion 64 which is also inclined generally rearwardly and upwardly from a leading edge which is parallel to the leading edge of inclined portion 20. At the end of each of the channels defined by the parallel partitions 31 through 36 there are ramps 41, 42, 62, 63 and 65) which allow a golf ball traveling rearwardly in a channel to exit from the channel and leave the putting apparatus.

Referring to FIG. 3, a side view of the portable golf putting device 10 of FIG. 2 is illustrated. To aid in deflecting balls from the end of the outer channels, a vertical deflecting surface 43 encourages balls to roll down ramp 42. The underside of the putting device 10 has diamond knurled surface areas 19 to prevent sliding or skidding of the device when placed on a playing surface. In each of the two rear corners of device 10 there is a set and 76 of counting beads 72 and 74 journalled on rods 71 and 73. One set of beads can be used for keeping track of the number of putts and the other set can be used for marking the score achieved. Each of the sections defined by two adjacent parallel partitions and two adjacent inclined planes is given a value representive of the skill required to putt a ball into the front center section. As is illustrated in FIG. 2, numbers 1, 2, 3" and 5" are given to the various sections depending upon the probability of the ball landing in a section when a putter attempts to putt the ball into the front center section.

The practice putting apparatus of this invention may be played by two players, each player in turn putting three consecutive balls toward the opposite scoring plate. The player at the opposite scoring plate must clear each ball in turn from the scoring plate and at the end of the three putts he may use his putter to move the scoring beads to indicate the total number of putts made and the total score achieved. As is evident from the foregoing description, the device is designed so that balls (such as ball 8) can be removed from any of the sections simply by tapping with a putter. Thus a player does not have to bend over and pick-up a ball after each putt.

While there have been described above the principles of the invention in connection with specific apparatus, it is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation of the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A portable golf putting device comprising:

a. a first inclined portion inclined upwardly and rearwardly from a straight first leading edge b. several parallel partitions extending rearwardly from the rear edge of said first inclined portion and defining channels in which a golf ball may roll, said partitions extending in a direction perpendicular to said first leading edge;

. a second inclined portion disposed rearwardly of said first inclined portion and intersecting said parallel partitions, said second inclined portion being inclined generally upwardly and rearwardly from a second leading edge which is parallel to said first leading edge;

d. a plurality of said parallel partitions continuing rearwardly from said second inclined portion and intersecting a third inclined portion disposed rearwardly of said second inclined portion; and

. said third inclined portion being inclined generally upwardly and rearwardly from a third leading edge which is parallel to said second leading edge.

2. The device of claim 1 in which said first inclined portion is a flat surface inclined at about a 10 angle to the horizontal.

3. The device of claim 1 in which the outline of the apparatus is rectangular, and which additionally has two sets of counting beads disposed generally in the two rear corners.

4. The device of claim 1 which has six partitions extending rearwardly from the rear edge of said first inclined portion, thus defining 5 channels, and which has behind each portion of said second inclined portion in the two outer channels, means for directing golf balls traveling rearwardly in the channels off of the apparatus.

LII

5. The device of claim 1 which additionally includes non-skid means on its underside for maintaining its placement when placed on a surface.

6. The device of claim 1 which additionally has a vertical wall extending downwardly from the rear of said first inclined portion at points unconnected to said parallel partitions.

7. The device of claim 6 in which said vertical wall is approximately three-fourths inches high.

8. The device of claim 1 which is made of plastic.

9. The device of claim 1 which additionally includes means at the end of each of said channels defined by said partitions for allowing a rapidly moving golf ball traveling rearwardly in the channel to exit from the channel and leave the pu ttin apparatus.

10. The device of claim w 1611 additionally has a vertical wall extending downwardly from the rear of said first inclined portion at points unconnected to said parallel partitions.

11. The device of claim 10in which the outline of the apparatus is rectangular and which additionally has two sets of counting beads disposed generally in the two rear corners.

12. The device of claim 11 which has six partitions extending rearwardly from the rear edge of said first inclined portion, thus defining 5 channels, and which has behind each portion of said second inclined portion in the two outer channels, a sideways sloping inclined plane for directing golf balls off of the apparatus.

13. The device of claim 12 which additionally includes non-skid means on its underside for maintaining its placement on a surface.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 which is made of plastic.

15. A portable golf putting apparatus comprising:

a. a first practice putting device having a plurality of sections into which a golf ball can be putted,

b. a second practice putting device having a plurality of sections into which a golf ball can be putted,

c. a relatively inelastic cord connecting said first device to said second device whereby the distance between the two can be consistently and accurately reproduced.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 including means for readily detaching the inelastic cord from said first and second devices.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 in which said means includes a keyhole opening in each of said devices.

l l it i 

1. A portable golf putting device comprising: a. a first inclined portion inclined upwardly and rearwardly from a straight first leading edge ; b. several parallel partitions extending rearwardly from the rear edge of said first inclined portion and defining channels in which a golf ball may roll, said partitions extending in a direction perpendicular to said first leading edge; c. a second inclined portion disposed rearwardly of said first inclined portion and intersecting said parallel partitions, said second inclined portion being inclined generally upwardly and rearwardly from a second leading edge which is parallel to said first leading edge; d. a plurality of said parallel partitions continuing rearwardly from said second inclined portion and intersecting a third inclined portion disposed rearwardly of said second inclined portion; and e. said third inclined portion being inclined generally upwardly and rearwardly from a third leading edge which is parallel to said second leading edge.
 2. The device of claim 1 in which said first inclined portion is a flat surface inclined at about a 10* angle to the horizontal.
 3. The device of claim 1 in which the outline of the apparatus is rectangular, and which additionally has two sets of counting beads disposed generally in the two rear corners.
 4. The device of claim 1 which has six partitions extending rearwardly from the rear edge of said first inclined portion, thus defining 5 channels, and which has behind each portion of said second inclined portion in the two outer channels, means for directing golf balls traveling rearwardly in the channels off of the apparatus.
 5. The device of claim 1 which additionally includes non-skid means on its underside for maintaining its placement when placed on a surface.
 6. The device of claim 1 which additionally has a vertical wall extending downwardly from the rear of said first inclined portion at points unconnected to said parallel partitions.
 7. The device of claim 6 in which said vertical wall is approximately three-fourths inches high.
 8. The device of claim 1 which is made of plastic.
 9. The device of claim 1 which additionally includes means at the end of each of said channels defined by said partitions for allowing a rapidly moving golf ball traveling rearwardly in the channel to exit from the channel and leave the putting apparatus.
 10. The device of claim 9 which additionally has a vertical wall extending downwardly from the rear of said first inclined portion at points unconnected to said parallel partitions.
 11. The device of claim 10 in which the outline of the apparatus is rectangular and which additionally has two sets of counting beads disposed generally in the two rear corners.
 12. The device of claim 11 which has six partitions extending rearwardly from the rear edge of said first inclined portion, thus defining 5 channels, and which has behind each portion of said second inclined portion in the two outer channels, a sideways sloping inclined plane for directing golf balls off of the apparatus.
 13. The device of claim 12 which additionally includes non-skid means on its underside for maintaining its placement on a surface.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 which is made of plastic.
 15. A portable golf putting apparatus comprising: a. a first practice putting device having a plurality of sections into which a golf ball can be putted, b. a second practice putting device having a plurality of sections into which a golf ball can be putted, c. a relatively inelastic cord connecting said first device to saId second device whereby the distance between the two can be consistently and accurately reproduced.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 including means for readily detaching the inelastic cord from said first and second devices.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16 in which said means includes a keyhole opening in each of said devices. 